High Intensity Circuit Training (HICT) is a method of training that involves combining both cardio and resistance training in the same workout, alternating upper and lower body moves as well as high intensity and lower intensity exercises. The idea is a challenging, total body routine that offers better weight loss results in less time.
Why HICT?
The standard guidelines for exercise usually include two different kinds of workouts: Cardio for about 150 minutes a week and then a separate strength training workout that you do on alternate days.
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Circuit Training
Workout
Circuit Exercise
High Intensity Training
Cardio Strength Workout
While we know that's how much exercise we need to lose weight, most of us don't have that much time.
Of course, there are ways to combine strength and cardio in the same workout, but that still takes time and how well does it really work?. If you do cardio first, your strength training may suffer and vice versa.
So, is it effective if you combine the two in the same workout? That's something I've experimented with quite a bit in my circuit training workouts, but a recent study, "High Intensity Circuit Training Using Body Weight," published in the May/June 2013 issue of the ACSM's Health & Fitness Journal shows that circuit training, done at a high intensity, really works.
The HICT Workout
The study authors set up a HICT workout with the following parameters:
9-12 exercises that include a mix of cardio and body weight exercises. When choosing exercises, they looked for:
Whole body, compound exercises
Exercises that recruit the larger muscles of the body, such as the butt, chest and back
Moves that can be easily modified for different fitness levels (e.g., pushups on the knees rather than traditional pushups)
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They alternated between muscle groups and intensity. For example, an upper body exercise (e.g., dips) was followed by a lower body exercise (e.g., lunges), while a high intensity exercise (e.g., burpees) was followed by a lower intensity exercise (e.g., knee lifts with a med ball). This allows some rest between muscle groups and energy systems so you can maintain good form and avoid bonking too quickly.
To maximize intensity, they had subjects do each exercise for about 15 to 20 reps or 30 seconds.
For maximum efficiency, the rest between exercises was short, less than 15 seconds.
The circuit they put together (listed below) was 7 minutes long and they recommended exercisers repeat the circuit up to 3 times for about a 20-minute workout.
Sample HICT Workout
Below is the workout the study authors put together, complete with 12 exercises that require no equipment, work all the muscles of the body and can be done just about anywhere. Do each exercise for 30 seconds, rest for 10 seconds in between and repeat 1-3, or more, times.
Jumping jacks
Wall sit
Pushup
Ball crunches
Step ups
Squats
Dips
Planks
High knee jogs
Lunges
Pushups to side plank
Side plank
This is just a sample and more advanced exercisers may want to increase the intensity by adding weight or trying more advanced exercises.
The Benefits of HICT
So, the real question is, does this type of workout actually work? They found a number of benefits of HICT including:
It's a fast and efficient way to lose weight and burn body fat
HICT also increases your afterburn or the amount of calories you burn after your workout
These types of workouts may also target more belly fat
HICT workouts are shorter and more time efficient
They increase VO2max as well as your overall fitness
Precautions
The high intensity of this type of training coupled with the short rests demands more energy than traditional workouts. And, because you're moving quickly, you'll want to be very familiar with the exercises so that you have good form, even when you get tired. Try practicing the exercises with as much rest as you need and then shortening the rests as your fitness improves.
Sources:
Klika B, Jordan C. "HIGH-INTENSITY CIRCUIT TRAINING USING BODY WEIGHT: Maximum Results With Minimal Investment." May/June 2013. ACSM's Health & Fitness Journal, 17(3), 8-13. Sept 8, 2013. http://journals.lww.com/acsm-healthfitness/Fulltext/2013/05000/HIGH_INTENSITY_CIRCUIT_TRAINING_USING_BODY_WEIGHT_.5.aspx.
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